It is probably fair to say that Chris Coleman has had worse days as he watched Gareth Bale power home a header to give his side a massive victory in Cyprus and leave them on the edge of a place in a major finals for the first time since 1958.

Bale headed home a Jazz Richards cross in the closing stages of the game to give Wales a hard earned win in front of 4,000 of their fans in Nicosia.

It left the nation just one win away from qualification for France next summer, a feat that can be achieved in front of a sell out crowd at the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday against Israel.

There have been so many near misses over the years but Coleman's side stand on the brink of history now with the Wales boss confident that they can finish the job that we have started so well and ensure that next summer Wales take their place at the top table for the very first time in the Euros.

Speaking after the game, Coleman said "We are almost there, we can't hide from those facts. We know we are so close, one win away, but the players are not mentioning it.

“They know everyone else will talk about it but we want to focus on getting the job done.

“It is for the fans to get carried away. I am absolutely ecstatic for them and I want them to get excited because they have waited such a long time.

“When you saw us score tonight, and you saw the celebration, that's been coming for a long time, especially in this campaign that togetherness has been absolutely fantastic, and that's what gets you through when maybe you're not playing so well. You just dig in."

“We might be tired but, hook or by crook we will be ready. We have to live up to expectation.”

Photo: Action Images

Swansea City Polls